Charcoal in the mist: an overview of environmental security issues and initiatives in the Central Albertine Rift

The Central Albertine Rift is a transboundary eco-region important not only in terms of its great biodiversity, but also in terms of politics and security. Violent conflicts in the region related to valuable mineral and natural resources, have (had) a major destabilising effect on states and communities in the wider Great Lakes region.

This paper addresses both the environmental security situation and the role of resources in the region. Points to be noted include:

• the combination of the presence of armed rebels, an ill-disciplined national Congolese army, artisanal mining, high and rising population densities and increasing food and energy needs have resulted in a continuously growing demand for land and firewood, as well as an increasingly attractive charcoal industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• although park authorities work hard trying to tackle charcoal production and trade, insecurity in the region prevents them from effectively monitoring and protecting the forests of Virunga National Park
• the environmental effects, such as forest degradation, wildlife poaching, soil erosion, overfishing and water pollution, pose great dangers to the survival of man and nature in this region and can contribute to social unrest and instability

An overview of current activities by organisations aiming to tackle these issues in the fields of mapping and monitoring, diplomacy and law, nature conservation, finance and economics, empowerment and training and eco-tourism, is given.

Recommendations are provided in relation to these activities, which include:

• a systematic satellite monitoring system would help to increase transparency, fight corruption and advance good governance in the mining and logging sectors of the Democratic Republic of Congo
• given the economic and ecological importance of the Central Albertine Rift, the DR Congolese authorities and the international community should do their utmost to protect the ecosystems of the region. In that respect, it is recommended to strengthen civil-military cooperation in and around Virunga National Park
• given the fact that local communities living around the Rwandan Volcanoes National Park do not benefit sufficiently from the high-end gorilla tourism in their region, support should be given to organisations that strive to improve this situation
• the World Bank could set up a Multi-Donor Trust Fund that could serve to fund activities aimed at promoting security and sustainable development in this part of Africa